Spider success

Saturday 31st October 2015

The fen raft spider, one of the UK's biggest spiders, is thriving at two Trust nature reserves following a pioneering translocation initiative

Until relatively recently the spiders were only known in only two locations in the country, a small population at Redgrave & Lopham Fen and another on the Pevensey Levels in Sussex. In recent years a pioneering translocation project, headed by Dr Helen Smith, means they can now be found at Carlton Marshes, and in strong numbers at Castle Marshes. Dr Smith, speaking about the translocation success at last week's Suffolk Wildlife Trust AGM said 'there's nothing special about being on the brink of extinction, what's special is being big and bold and visible.'

Fen raft spiders are truly fascinating creatures, they are fiercely protective mothers and carry enormous silk egg sacks under their abdomens until the spiderlings hatch - these egg sacks can contain up to 700 eggs. They are also the only European species of spider that eats vertebrates.